Check controlled apparatus



Feb. 23, 1932.

G. E. RIEGEL CHECK CONTROLLED APPARATUS Filed July 3, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet l Mmhhhhk 521/? E IEE-EL INVENTOR ATTORNEY Feb. 23, 1932. G. E. RIEGEL CHECK CONTROLLED APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 5, 1930 INVENTOR W ATTORNEY Feb. 23, 1932. G. E. RIEGEL 1,346,611

CHECK CONTROLLED APPARATUS Filed July 3, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Feb. 23, 1932.

G. E. RIEGEL CHECK CONTROLLED APlARATUS Filed July 3, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 521v 5/4 /55 El- INVENTO ATTORN EY Feb. 23,- 1932. s. E. RIEGEL 1 CHECK CONTROLLED APPARATUS Fild July 3, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Eu Y E. @555;

ATTORNEY l VENTQR Patented Feb. 23, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GUY E. RTEGEL, OF SPOKANEQVWASHINGTON, ASSIGNOR TO AUTOMATIC RADIO COR- PORATION, F SPOKANE, WASHINGTON, A CORPORATION CHECK" CONTROLLED APPARATUS Application filed July 3,

My present invention relates to improvements in check controlled apparatus of the type employing a plurality of checks or coins for controlling an electric switch or circuit maker, in combination with a clock, ortimed motor, and a radio receiving set, whereby the latter may be rendered operative for various lengths of time, or periods, depending upon the number of coins deposited in a magazine provided therefor. lVhile my coin controlled apparatusis adapted for various uses, it is particularly designed for predetermining the number of periods of time during which the radio receiving set will operate,xas Well as the length or duration of these'periods.

The prime mover for the apparatus and radio instrument is preferably'an electrically operated clock, but in connection with the automatically operating mechanism, I may 29 use an auxiliary, manually controlled. operating device for the mechanism and radio instrument. The electrical clock is continuously operating, without necessity for winding,

, and is therefore available for use in operating the radio set under control of one or'more cm 11%. V a

In carrying out my invention the electric clock and the radio set are preferably combined in a cabinet, or fixture,as a night stand, 0 customarily used in hotelrooms (or other suitable places) and the radio set or instrument receives its required electricity from the wires of the electrical clock- By dropping a coin in a slot, the-hotel guest is permitted to avail himself of the radio service fora predetermined length of time; and by dropping a plurality of coins, to filla magazine feed chute, a number of periods corresponding to the firstperiod and of the same duration, are successively available to thelistener. At the end of the first period, say fifteen minutes of operation of the radio set,. the ,setor instrument .is automatically rendered inoperative; but if a plurality of coins, say four, are dropped into the magazine feed-chute, the radio instrument willautomatically continue operative for foursucceed'ing fifteen minute periods. 7 At the end of the fourth period the radio set remains inoperative, but

1930. Serial No. 465,715.

is again rendered operative by the insertion of a coin into the coin slot.

A continually revolving shaft of the electric clock is employed as the primamoyer for mechanically operating or rotating a coin til carrier, and the duration of the operating period of this coin carrier governs the length of service of the radio set, while the duration of the operating period itself is controlled by a. radio switch or circuit maker and breaker.

In the absence of a. check or coin, the radio switch remains open, and the coin control. mechanismor apparatus remains disconnected from the prime mover and 'sta' tionary. a

The plurality of coins in the magazine feed-chute fall by gravity to operative posi tions, and automatically operating cut-off and detent devices are utilized to control the coins in order that theymay successively'and singly render operative the radio instrument.

The invention consists in certain novel combinations and arrangements of parts as will hereinafter be more fully set forth and claimed. In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention wherein the parts are combined andarranged according to one mode I have thus far devised for the practical application of the principles of my invention, but it will be understood that various changes and alterations may be made in the exemplified structure, within the scope of my claims without departing from the principles of my invention.

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a cabinet, or article otfurniture, as customarilyfurnished in hotel rooms, in which a clock and radio instrument are combined; the electric wirin'gand the mechanically operating parts of the invention being shown in a diagrammaticfmanner. V

Figure 2is a perspectiveview of a part at the lower end of the magazine feed-chute for coins, indicatingthe cut-oft and detent devices for the coins, so that they may be fed, singly, to a coin carrier.

Figure 3 is a detail elevation of the parts, with the power wheel and coin carrier in initial position, and with the radio switch held open.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, but with the radio switch or circuit maker closed; the power wheel rotating, intermittently, as indicated by the arrow; the coin carrier in intermediate position in full lines and shown by dotted lines in discharging position; and indicating by dotted lines a number of coins in the magazine feed-chute.

Figure 5 is a top plan View, showing the assembly of the clock, and the control mechanism, together with an auxiliary or manually operated, power device for the mechanism.

Figure 6 is an upright edge view of the mechanism, as seen from the right in Figure 3, but with parts omitted for clarity of illustration.

Figure 7 is a perspective detail of a coin operated, release plate for the coin cut-off device, and Figure 8 is a view of the spring pressed coin cut-ofi arm.

Figure 9 is a perspective View f the coin detent.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the ratchet lever, which also controls the radio switch.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the resetting lever.

Figure 12 is a perspective view at the discharge end of the coin carrier showing the cam device for the coin detent and the cam device for the coin cut-off.

Figure 13 is a detail View of the spring latch for the ratchet lever or radio switch lever.

In Figure 1 where the general embodiment of my invention is exemplified, I employ a cabinet 1 of suitable size and shape, having the electrical clock 2 appearing on its front wall, and within the cabinet are located the clock works, as well as the control mechanism, and the radio receiving set or instrument, the latter being designed in dotted lines as 3, with the control knobs or handles 1 in position for use by the person availing himself of the services of the instrument.

The loud speaker for the receiving instrument is designa ed by the numeral 5, and is preferably located just below the dial or face of the clock 2. In the diagrammatic part of Figure 1 the electric current for the clock includes the wires 6 and 7 and a battery B, and the radio circuit includes the wires 8 and 9 that are connected as indicated with the wires 6 and 7 of the clock.

The, clock is assumed to be operating at all times, but the radio instrui'nentis operated only when the switch 10 in the radio circuit is closed. The switch 10 is shown open in Figure 3, but it is automatically closed. as in Figure 4%, when a coin, as C, 0, C2, or C3 (Figure 1) is employed for performing its functions.

In the diagrammatic part of Figure 1 the antenna of the radio instrument is indicated at 11 and the ground connection is designated 12.

One or more coins are inserted in the slot indicated at 13 in the upper part of and at one side of the cabinet 1, and the coin or coins pass down into an angular magazine or feedchute 1 1, and through this magazine to a coin carrier 15, by means of which carrier the coins, singly and successively, are transferred to and discharged into a discharge chute 16. The movements of the coin are due to gravity, and the coin, or coins, are collected in a box at 17 within the cabinet.

The coin carrier oscillates, its working movement being mechanically imparted thereto, while its return movement is accomplished by gravity. For the forward, rotary, clockwise, movement of the coin carrier 1 utilize a continuously revolving shaft 18 of the clock, and place thereon the motor wheel 19 having peripheral teeth 20, the wheel revolving continuously with shaft 18 in the direction of the arrows in Figures 3 and 4.

For supporting operating parts of the mechanism a plate 21 is secured in the cabinet, back of the clock, and the plate is rigidly supported in suitable manner.

The coin carrier 15 forms a chute-section complementary to the magazine 1 1 and the discharge chute 16, and the carrier is provided with hub 22 loose on the shaft 18.

Due to the weight of the lower end of the L-shaped coin carrier, the carrier, by gravity, is returned to perpendicular position of Figure 3, and because of the rounded upper end 23 of the carrier co-operating with the complementary lower end of the magazine, the carrier is prevented from turning anti-clockwise to an excessive degree.

The rounded end 23 of the carrier swings downwardly and to the right in Figure 3 a sufficient distance to insure that the coin will roll by gravity from the discharge end 23 into an opening or slot 24 of the discharge chute 16, and the coin is thus passed to the collection box 17.

The coin carrier, on its working stroke is coupled with the power wheel 19 by means of a lever and ratchet device carried in the extension 25 of the L-shaped carrier. The ratchet lever 26 has a head 27 for engagement with the teeth 20 of the power wheel, and the lever, which is pivoted at 28, has a curved arm 29 adapted to close the lower end of the hollow coin carrier,asindicated by dotted lines in Figure 3. The ratchet lever is positioned so that its ratchet head 27 may engage the ratchet wheel and be disengaged therefrom, but the arm forms at all times the bottom of the hollow coin carrier.

On the underside of the ratchet lever, adjacent its hub portion, is provided a lug 30, and a spring blade 32 is carried within the extension 25, with one end secured as indicated in Figure 13. The free end of the spring blade has a detent 33 thereon that coract-swith the lug of the ratchet lever, for holding the lever or resiliently retaining the-lever in one of its two positions. The-ratchet lever is dislodgedfrom its dotted line position in Figure 3 by the impact and weight of the coin on the arm 29 as the coin falls through the upright carrier. Arm 29 is depressed, lug 3O snaps past spring detent 32, and the ratchet head 27 engages the peripheral teeth of the power wheel, as indicated in Figure t.

[is the power wheel is continuously revolving, the coin carrier, coupled with the wheel by the ratchet device, also turns clockwise with the wheel, carrying the coin with it, until the carrierreaches a position for discharging the coin into the discharge chute 16.

hen the carrier reaches its discharging position, it is automatically uncoupled from the power wheel, through the instrumentality of a spring pressed uncoupling lever 3 l, which ispivoted at 35 within the extension 25, and has a short arm 36 in proximity to the ratchet lever 26. The leverB projects from the carrier and partakes of its movement, and in the path of movement of the lever a pin 37 is lined to the plate 21 and properly positioned to eifect the uncoupling of the carrier and wheel at the proper time.

W hen the carrier and wheel are uncoupled, the former swings. back, by gravity, and a pin 38 on the carrier encounters the spring blade 39, as the carrier approaches its initial position. This blade has one end fixed to the plate 21 and it is located in position to act as a friction brake for retarding and stopping the gravity, return, swing of thecarrier.

The switch 10 is held open, when the coin carrier is in initial, inoperative position, by means of a boss 40 on the ratchet lever 26, the boss being located just'below the ratchet head 27 of the lever, and when the coin carrier is started to swing on its working stroke, the open circuit maker or switch 10 is antomatically closed. The closing of the radio switch 10, of course, renders operativethe radio instrument, and the latter remains'in operation as long as the radio switch is closed.

I The radio switch or circuit maker is'mounted upon a plate ell secured to the frame plate 21, and the switch plate is located in proximity to the 1 wer edge of the ratchet wheel, for co-action with the ratchet lever. Ten minals 4-2 and of the wire 8 are secured at the opposite ends of the switch plate 41,

and a stationary contact blade 44 is used with the resilient, movable blade 45 of the switch.

his shown in Figures 3 and 4, the spring blade- 45 of the switch is locatedapprozzi mately tangentialto the ratchet edge of; the power wheel, and the boss 40 0f the ratchet lever is adapted to ride up on the resilient blade,'and open the'switch, as indicated in Fi ure 3. r a

Zssuming that the four coins C, C, C2 and C3 have been dropped into the magazine feed-chute 14, the first coin is permitted to drop by gravity through the magazine, into and through the carrier, and the carrier is started. The remaining coins, however, are retained in the magazine to be successively freed and successively permitted to drop into the carrier while the latter is in upright or initial position.

For holdingthe remaining coins in :the

magazine when a plural number of coins are employed, I utilize a cut-off device that cuts ofi the upper coin or coins from the lowermost coin in the magazine, and I utilize a detent or detaining device for holding the lowermost coin in the magazine while the coin carrier is transferring a coin and whilethe radio set is operating during the period governed by the use of the preceding coin.

The cut-off device and the detaining device or detent are mounted near the lower end of the magazine, and these devices are released by an actuator carried by the rotating carrier. 7

The lower end of the magazine is widened, as at 46,, and provided with a side slot 47 through which a gravity check plate 48 for i the coins projects. This plate is pivoted at 459 in the magazine and swings freely in the slot, but the plate is over-balanced so that it will swing by gravity into the magazine and in the pathof the column of coins in the magazine. The checkplate is located in the magazine sutficient distance above the outlet of the magazine to permit the lowermost coin to remain in the magazine below the plate, while the-latter checks the remaining column of coins and supports them. It will be understood however, that the check plate supports the column only when the cut-off device is inoperative to cut-off and support the column of coins.

The check plate has an upturned lug 50 at one edge that projects out through a hole 500 in the face of the magazine, and this hole is of sufficient size to permit the plate to swing on its pivot, indicated by-dotted lines in Figures 3 and 4. i

The inner edge of the check plate is curved as shown in Figure 7 to receive impact from a coin, which impact swings the plate to the right, and when the plate is free to do so, it is swung to the left, by gravity, with its curved edgeagain in the path of the coins.

1 On the outer face of the magazine an upright cut-oil arm 51 is pivoted as at 52, the pivot being the upper end of the arm, and the lower, free, end of the arm being free to swing away from the magazine against the tension of a spring 53. The free end of the arm'lies alongside the outwardly projecting lug. 50 of the check plate, and this lug is adapted to slip under the arm and hold it extended outwardly from the magazine. The cut-oft arm has a pin 5% which projects through hole in the face of the magazine, and when this pin is in the in position it cuts off the movement of the column of coins and supports the column as will be described.

The detent device is located the extreme lower end of the magazine to detain the lowermost coin, after it has passed the cut-oil device. This device comprises an arm 56 pivoted at on the exterior of the magazine, and this arm has a finger 58 normally proecting through a hole 59 in the front wall of the magazine. The finger is in the path of movement of the lowermost coin, and a tension spring 60 is used to retain the arm, and to return it to detaining position. This arm 56 also has a lat ril plate 60 integral therewith, and projecting slightly below the lower end of the magazine.

The cut-off arm and the detent arm are both retracted against the tension of their springs, to withdraw their respective fingers from the path of the column of coins to permit movement of two coins. This withdrawal of the fingers is accomplished by means of a curved plate 61, rigid with the upper end of the coin carrier, and conforming to an arc struck from the shaft 18 as center. The plate extends across the carrier and projects a distance to the rear of the carrier. As best seen in Figure 12 one of the plate has a cam portion 62 and the other a cam edge 63, the cam 62 her adapted to ride in fric tional contact with the inner edge of the cutoff arm and thereby withdraw the finger 54 from the path of the coins. The edge 63 is adapted to ride against the underside of the cam plate 60 and. thereby withdraw the finger 58 from the path of the lowermost coin and permit that coin to fall into the coin carrier.

In the initial poist'ion (Figure 3) both fingers 54c and 58 are withdrawn, and a single coin may be used to operate the radio set for a single period. If the magazine is filled with a plurality of coins, to operate the radio set for a succeeding number of periods, the first coin will fall directly upon the arm 29 of the ratchet lever and start the radio set to operating. The remaining coins are successively fed from the magazine at the end of each operatin period. At the initial movement of the coin carrier, the cam edge 63 is disengaged from the plate 60 and the finger 58 detains the lowermost coin. On the return, move ment of the coin carrier the cam action of edge 63 and plate 60 opens the detent to permit the succeeding coin (which has become the lowermost coin) to fall by gravity to the arm 29 and again operate the radio set. and in this manner the succeeding, lowermost coins are fed to the coin carrier until the magazine is empty.

The lowermost coin of the column is separated therefrom by the check plate 48 and the cut-oft. In the initial position of Figure 3 the cut-off arm 51 is in contact with the base of the cam edge 62 and consequently the finger 5% is in cut-off position for holding the column of coins in the magazine above the lowermost coin. As the coin carrier swings or turns with the wheel, the cam edge 62 rides under the free end of the arm 51 and withdraws the finger 5a to permit a coin to fall. As the finger 5a is withdrawn, the detent finger 58 closes and catches the coin that has been released from finger 5d.

The check-plate 48, due to gravity, hangs on its pivot with its inner edge in the path of the co ns. When the cam edge 62 withdraws finger 54, the check 50 of the check plate slips under the arm 51 and holds it out, until the next succeeding coin in the column falls against the check plate and dislodges the plate withdrawing the check lug 50 from the arm 51. and the latter is permitted to swing in to the magazine with its finger in closed pos tion to hold the column of coins.

Thus the carrier is successively oscillated a number of times according to the number of coins placed in the magazine, and with each osc llation of the carrier a lowermost coin is released by the detent finger 58 and one of the remaining coins is released by the cut-off finger 54.

As an emergency device, or as an auxiliary device I may use a manual control as indi cated in Figure 5, instead of the motor or clock, and for th s purpose a hand wheel or lniob is secured on a sh aft that projects through wall of the cabinet. and this shaft. which is properly journaled, has a pinion 6? meshing: w th a complementary pinion or gear 68 on the shaft 18. and by means of the wheel or knob the carrier may be turned, after the coin has been dropped therein.

To prevent fraudulent use of the device by manuallv turn ng, and re-turning the carrier. a ratchet train is provided comprising wheels 68 and 69, and 70 with the pawl 71 engaging the latter wheel to prevent its reverse movement.

Having thus fully described my invention. what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a multiple coin controlled apparatus for a radio instrument, the combination with a clock-motor. a circuit maker for the instrument, a gravity returned coin carrier, and means for coupling said carr er to the motor. means for uncoupling the carrier and motor, said coupling means comprising a mem 361 for controlling the circuit maker, and means for successively feeding a plurality of co ns for successively operating the coupling means.

2. The combination with a circuit maker and a rotary operating member, of a coin carrier loosely associated with the member and adapted to rotate therewith, means for coupling the carrier with said member, means for releasing the carrier from said member, said releasing means including a circuit controlling device, a coin magazine, means for successively feeding coins to said carrier and means for returning the carrier to normal position. i

3. The combination with a clock-motor having a rotary member and a coin carrier loosely associated with the member, and a circuit maker therefor, of means for coupling said carrier and member and said means including a circuit controlling device, means for uncoupling said carrier and member, a coin magazine, means for successively feeding coins from the magazine to the carrier and coupling means and means for returning the carrier to normal position.

4. The combination, in a multiple-coin controlled apparatus with a magazine, of a rotary coin carrier adapted to receive successive coins from the magazine, an operating member for the carrier and means for coupling said carrier and member, means for uncoupling said carrier and member, means mounted on the magazine for successively feeding coins from the magazine to the carrier, means for returning the carrier to normal position, an automatically closed circuit maker, and means on the circuit maker for coaction with the coupling means for opening the circuit maker.

5. The combination with a magazine and a gravity-returned rotary coin carrier and means for operating said carrier, of a coinmagazine, a detent device for successively feeding the lowermost coin in the magazine, a cut-off device for controlling the feed of the remaining coins, means on the carrier coacting with said devices for controlling the latter, an automatically closed circuit maker, and means on the circuit maker co-acting with the carrier operating means for opening the circuit maker.

6. The combination with a magazine and a gravity-returned rotary coin carrier and operating means for the carrier, of a coin magazine, a detent device mounted on the magazine for successively feeding the lower- 7 most coin to the carrier, a cut-off device for controlling the feed of the remaining coins in the magazine, and a cam device on. the

carrier for controlling the detent device, cutoff device, an automatically closed circuit maker, and means on the circuit maker for co-action with the carrier operating means for opening the circuit maker.

7 The combination with a coin magazine, a gravity actuated rotary coin carrier and cooperating means for the carrier, of a spring pressed detent mounted in the magazine for successively feeding the lowermost coin from the magazine to the carrier, a spring pressed cut-off device for controlling the feed of coins remaining in the magazine, cam-actuating means carried by the carrier, for controlling said detent and cut-off device, an automatically closed circuit maker, and means on the circuit maker for co-action with the carrier operating means for opening the circuit maker.

8. In a multiple coin controlled apparatus for a radio instrument, the combination with a clock motor, a circuit maker, and a rotary coin carrier having a gravity return, of means for coupling the clock motor and carrier and means for uncoupling said clock motor and carrier, said coupling means including a member co-acting with a member on the circuit maker for controlling the circuit maker, and means for successively feeding a plurality of coins for operating the coupling means.

9. The combination in a multiple-coin controlled apparatus with a magazine, of arotary carrier, a clock motor, and means for coupling said clock motor and carrier including a coin actuated member adapted to receive impact from a coin in the carrier, means for uncoupling the motor and carrier, a circuit maker, said coupling means including a member co-acting with a member on the circuit maker for controlling the latter, means mounted on the magazine for successively feeding coins from the magazine to the carrier and coin-actuated mechanism, and means for returning the carrier to normal position.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

GUY E. RIEGEL. 

